Means for treating mineral wool fibers



y 0, 1955 c. A. ANLIKER 1 2,707,847

MEANS FOR TREATING MINERAL woox. FIBERS Filed May 24, 1952 v rz-z/e'nr: arl/Q flnlz'l'er. /Zflarrze 5,.

United States Patent MEANS FOR TREATING MINERAL WOOL FIBERS Carl A. Anliker, Wabash, Ind., assignor to American Rock Wool Corp., Wabash, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application May 24, 1952, Serial No. 289,829

7 Claims. (Cl. 49-1) The present invention relates to the treatment of mineral wool fibers formed from molten slag or suitable mineral material and more particularly to a novel means and manner of applying to such resulting fibers an annealing oil, waterproofing composition, binder or any desired combination thereof whereby to assure uniformity in the application of the treating or coating composition to such fibers as they leave the fiberizing unit and are collected to form a uniform batt or industrial felt.

In the manufacture of mineral wool fibers it has been proposed to form such fibers by means of a fiberization unit employing the successive steps of subjecting the molten slag or fiber-forming material to a spinning operation and to blasts of steam or other suitable gaseous medium which intercept the partially fiberized material ejected from the spinning rotor and subject the same to further and more complete fiberization.

Although the fibers formed in the above manner are of excellent texture and substantially uniform length with excellent physical characteristics, difficulty has been encountered in treating the fibers so formed with the desired annealing oil, waterproofing composition and/or binder in order to assure production of a resulting batt or industrial felt having the desired final characteristics.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a novel means and method of applying a desired treating composition to the fibers as they are produced and projected away from the fiberizing unit in a collector hood for collection upon a foraminous conveyor or other collecting means in a collector chamber or wool room.

In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprehends the provision of a novel applicator projecting into the collector hood with its discharge end extending to approximately the center of the wool or fiber stream produced in the spinning operation and discharging its treatment solution or composition away from the fiberization unit whereby this treating solution in the form of an atomized spray is distributed substantially uniformly onto the fibers in the collector hood and prior to their deposit in the collecting chamber or wool room.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a novel atomizing applicator having a treating outlet provided with discharge ports for directing the desired treating solution or composition in the form of an atomized spray that is uniformly diffused and dispersed in the wool stream as the fibers leave the fiber ization unit.

A further object is to provide a novel applicator unit projecting into the approximate center of an encompass ing mass of mineral wool fibers for supplying thereto a fiber treating composition and having a novel means for atomizing the treating composition and projecting it in the form of a mist or spray with the finely divided particles of treating solution collecting upon and uniformly treating the encompassing mass of fibers formed in the spinning operation prior to the deposit and collection of the fibers upon a conveyor in the form of an advancing mineral wool blanket by any suitable suction means.

To assure maximum efliciency under continuous operating conditions, it is a further object of this invention to provide a novel means and method of preventing the collection of the resulting mineral wool on the applicator during treatment. This is accomplished in a novel manner by providing the applicator with a tube or conduit for supplying the treating solution or composition and an encompassing tube or conduit having an inlet for receiving steam or other fluid under pressure, an outlet disposed adjacent the outlet for the treating composition or solution for atomizing this composition or solution as it is discharged, and longitudinally and laterally spaced ports provided along the encompassing tube forming cleaning jets through which issue blasts of the steam or other fluid under pressure to scavenge and maintain clear the applicator unit of collected mineral wool.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efliciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevationof a spinning or fiberizing unit mounted in a collector hood and including the present novel means for treating the fibers formed by the unit and discharge or drawn into the collecting chamber or wool room, portions of the fiberization unit being broken away and the hood and collection chamber being shown in vertical cross section to disclose the manner in which the molten slag or fiber-forrning material is fiberized and treated and the treated fibers collected in the collection chamber or wool room.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing in side elevation an alternate form of fiber-treating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view through the fiber-treating mechanism of Fig. 1, the view being taken on the line 33 of Fig. l and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of the discharge outlet or nozzle whereby the steam or fluid is discharged under pressure for atomizing the treating solution, the view being taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing an alternate construction of the discharge outlet or nozzle.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in Fig. 1 and the illustrative embodiment therein shown, the fiberization unit is shown mounted in operative position in an encompassing collector hood 10 opening into a collection chamber or wool room 11 through a portal or opening 11. The fiberizing unit includes a hollow spinning member or rotor 12 having an internal, annular spinning surface to which molten slag or fiber-forming material A is fed and directed by a guide spout or slag trough 13 receiving its molten slag or mineral material for producing the mineral wood fibers from a cupola notch or furnace notch 14 of a cupola or furnace 15. To cool the rotor or spinning member 12 the encompassing wall of this member is preferably formed hollow for the passage therethrough of to accomplish the desired spinning rotation.

As an example but not to be taken as limiting the invention, the temperature of the molten slag may vary through a relatively wide range with excellent results having been obtained when the molten slag or fiber-forming material as discharged from the cupola or furnace notch is at a temperature of approximately 2500 to 2800 F., and the temperature of this molten slag when fed to the spinner or rotor from the guide spout or slag trough 13 is at a temperature of approximately 2450 to 2700 F. By way of further example, the speed of rotation of the spinner may be varied through a substantially wide range with good fiberizing results having been obtained when operating the rotor or spinner at speeds ranging from approximately 700 to 1200 R. P. M. or higher.

Encompassing but preferably spaced from the discharge edge 18 of the rotor or spinning member 12 is an annular blowcap or nozzle 19 having multiple and relatively closely spaced openings, orifices or slits at 21 so arranged as to project and direct multiple blasts of steam or gaseous medium under sufliciently high pressure to intercept the dispersed and partially fiberized molten slag 22 ejected by centrifugal force from the forward discharge edge 18 of the rotor or spinning member 12. These multiple blasts of steam or gaseous medium under pressure intercept the partially fiberized or spun material impelled outwardly into the path of the blowcap and complete fiberization of the slag to produce relatively fine and long fibers 23.

The fibers so produced are then treated with a treating solution or liquid composition such as an annealing oil, waterproofing substance and/or binder or any desired combination thereof. To most eifectively treat these fibers whereby to assure a uniform treatment giving to the fibers and the resulting batt or felt the desired characteristics, the present invention comprehends a novel means and manner for such treatment in which there is provided a novel applicator unit 24 projecting into the collecting hood and comprising a tube or conduit 25 having an inlet at its upper or outer end 26 and a discharge outlet 27 at its inner or lower end for supplying the desired treating composition or solution. Encompassing this tube or. conduit 25 is a substantially larger tube, pipe or conduit 28 having an inlet 29 at or adjacent its upper or outer end and an offset 31 at its lower or inner end provided with a lateral discharge nozzle 32. This discharge nozzle is disposed closely adjacent the discharge outlet 27 of the tube or conduit 25 carrying the treating solution.

As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the discharge nozzle 32 is disposed beneath the open lower discharge end 27 of the tube or conduit 25 for atomizing the treating solution as it leaves the open end of this tube. Connected to the inlet 29 is a supply of steam, air, gas or other suitable fluid under pressure adapted to issue from the slots or notches 33 (Fig. 4) or from the ports or openings 34 (Fig. 5) if the alternate form of discharge ports is employed in the nozzle 35. Either form of nozzle effectively atomizes the treating solution as it is discharged from the lower or discharge end 27 of the tube or conduit 25.

In Figs. 2 and 6 the applicator unit 36 is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 3 except that it is provided with a separate tube or conduit 37 suitably afiixed to or supported on the remainder of the unit for the passage to the nozzle 32, (Fig. 4) or (Fig. 5) of a binder or oil treating substance separate from the contents in the inner tube or conduit 25; This tube'or conduit 37 is provided with an inlet 38 adjacent one end and is preferably open at its other or inner end 39 for the discharge of its contents into the path of the blasts of steam or other medium lit) til)

issuing from the nozzle 32 or 35 and employed for 4 charge therethrough of the steam or other medium supplied to this conduit. These orifices form cleaning jets so arranged and spaced apart as to most effectively prevent the collection on this tube or conduit 28 of the mineral wool fibers. When arranged as in Figs. 3 and 6, these discharge orifices are preferably so located that the nozzle or discharge end of the orifices 41 are arranged at an angle of approximately 30 with respect to a longitudinal plane, and with the orifices or jets 41 and 42 spaced approximately two inches apart. Although the invention comprehends the use of steam, air, gas or suitable liquid may be employed in place of the steam for discharge through the orifices 41 and 42 to scavenge and clear the tube 23 of fibers.

As shown in Figs. 1. and 2, the discharge end of the applicator units projects to approximately the center of the spinning or fiberizing unit so that as the treating solution or liquid compositions to be supplied to the fibers emerge from the tube or conduit 25 alone (Figs. 1 and 3) or from the separate tubes or conduits 25 and 37, and such solutions or compositions are atomized by the steam or medium supplied by the nozzle 32 or 35, the resulting mist or spray is dispersed outwardly into contact with the fibers formed in the spinning operation whereby to treat or coat these fibers and give them the desired characteristics to assure the production of a uniformly treated and homogeneous batt or industrial felt.

The fibers so treated are drawn from the collection hood 10 and collected in the base of the collecting or settling chamber of the wool room 11 and preferably upon a foraminous conveyor 43 toward which the newly formed fibers may be drawn to be deposited and incorporated into an advancing mineral wall blanket 44 by any suitable suction apparatus 45.

By this novel construction and arrangement, the liquid treating substance is atomized in approximately the center of the annular wool stream as the formed fibers leave the fiberization unit and is distributed uniformly on these fibers as they pass through the collector hood 10 and into the wool room or collection chamber 11. By arranging and mounting the applicator assembly at an angle and with the cleaning jets drilled or arranged at an angle on the leading edge and side of the applicator, substantially as disclosed, these jets maintain an effective and constant sweep of the exposed surface of the applicator so as to scavenge and prevent fibers from collecting thereon.

From the above description and the disclosure in the drawing, it will be evident that the present invention comprehends a novel means and manner of applying suitable treating substances including a binder, annealing oil. waterproofing composition or any combination thereof to the fibers to bind the collected fibers together in the resulting batts or industrial felts and to give these fibers the desired physical characteristics.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. An applicator for subjecting mineral wool fibers produced by a fiberization unit in a collection hood to a treating composition such as a binder, annealing oil and/or waterproofing substance, comprising a tube projecting into the hood and provided with an inlet and a discharge outlet for supplying a treating composition to the collection hood with the outlet located within the encompassing mass of fibers as these fibers leave the unit in the form of a substantially annular wool stream, an

encompassing tube carrying a fluid under pressure and provided with a laterally opening discharge nozzle disposed adjacent the discharge outlet of the supply tube for atomizing the treating composition, discharging it in the direction of travel of the discharged wool stream and dispersing it in the form of a mist into the encompassing wool stream and thereby uniformly treating the fibers in this stream as they pass in the collection hood, and spaced orifices provided in the leading edge and side of the encompassing tube providing cleaning jets for preventing the collection of fibers on the applicator.

2. An applicator for treating mineral wool fibers after these fibers have been produced by a fiberization unit, comprising a conduit extending to adjacent the discharge end of the fiberization unit and adapted to be supplied with a treating composition, said conduit having an outlet projecting into the encompassing stream of fibers as these fibers leave the unit in the form of a substantially annular wool stream, and an encompassing conduit carrying a fluid under pressure and provided with an outwardly and laterally opening discharge nozzle disposed adjacent the outlet of the supply conduit for atomizing the treat ing composition, discharging it in the general direction of travel of the discharged wool stream and dispersing it into the encompassing wool stream for subjecting the fibers in this stream to a uniform treatment prior to their collection.

3. An applicator for treating mineral wool fibers after these fibers have been produced by a fiberization unit in an encompassing chamber, comprising a tube projecting into the chamber for supplying a liquid treating substance to the fibers and provided with a discharge outlet located within the mass of fibers as these fibers leave the unit in the form of a substantially annular wool stream, an encompassing pipe spaced from the tube and carrying a fluid under pressure, a laterally opening discharge nozzle at the inner end of the pipe and disposed adjacent the discharge outlet of the supply tube for atomizing the liquid treating substance, discharging it in the general direction of travel of the discharge wool stream and dispersing it outwardly into the encompassing wool stream whereby to uniformly subject the fibers in this stream to the spray of treating substance, and orifices in the encompassing pipe providing spaced cleaning jets for scavenging the exterior of this pipe of collected fibers.

4. In a fiberization unit for fiberizing molten fiberforming material by subjecting said material to a spinning operation and encompassing blasts of steam from which unit the fibers are ejected about a substantially horizontal axis in the form of an annular wool stream, an applicator for treating the fibers so produced including a conduit projecting through the annulus of the wool stream into the interior thereof with its outlet disposed at approximately the center of the annular wool stream for supplying a treating substance to the encompassing fibers of the stream, and a conduit encompassing the first mentioned conduit and having a substantially horizontally arranged discharge nozzle for supplying fiuid under pressure to the discharged treating substance as it leaves the outlet for effectively atomizing this treating substance, directing it within and generally along the path of. the encompassing wool stream and dispersing it into the encompassing wool stream for treating the fibers in the stream.

5. In a fiberization unit for fiberizing molten fiberforming material and ejecting the formed fibers in the form of a substantially annular wool stream within a confining hood, an applicator for supplying treating compositions to the interior of the encompassing wool stream including a pair of tubes projecting through the annulus of the ejected Wool stream into the space at the interior thereof and each thereat provided with a discharge outlet for separately supplying a treating composition, a conduit for supplying a fluid under pressure and a laterally opening nozzle for the conduit arranged adjacent to but spaced from the outlets for the treating compositions for atomizing the latter, discharging the treating compositions in the direction of travel of the wool stream and projecting the atomized spray from within the confines of the annular wool stream.

6. In a fiberization unit for fiberizing molten fiberforming material and ejecting the formed fibers in the form of a substantially annular wool stream about a substantially horizontal axis within a confining hood, an applicator for supplying a treating composition to the hollow interior of the encompassing wool stream including a tube projecting through the annulus of the ejected wool stream into the space at the interior thereof and thereat provided with a discharge outlet for supplying the treating composition, an encompassing tube for supplying a fluid under pressure and provided with a discharge nozzle having a substantially horizontally arranged discharge opening disposed adjacent the discharge outlet of the supply tube for the treating composition for atomizing the treating composition, discharging it in the direction of travel of the wool stream and dispersing it into the encompassing wool stream, and spaced cleaning jets in the encompassing tube for the discharge of fluid under pressure for clearing said applicator of fibers.

7. in a fiberization unit for fiberizing molten fiberforming material and ejecting the formed fibers in the form or a substantially annular wool stream within a confining hood, an applicator for supplying a treating composition to the interior of the encompassing wool stream including a tube projecting through the annulus of the wool stream into the hollow interior thereof and thereat provided with a discharge outlet disposed adjacent the center or the encompassing wool stream for supplying the treating composition to the interior of the encompassing wool stream, a tube for supplying a fluid under pressure and provided with a discharge nozzle disposed adjacent the discharge outlet of the supply tube for the treatin composition for atomizing the latter, said discharge nozzle opening outwardly for discharging the treating composition in the general direction of travel of the wool stream and dispersing it into the encompassing wool stream, and spaced orifices provided in the encompassing tube along its length providing cleaning jets for discharging fiuid under pressure and preventing the collection of fibers on the applicator.

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4. IN A FIBERIZATION UNIT FOR FIBERIZING MOLTEN FIBERFORMING MATERIAL BY SUBJECTING SAID MATERIAL TO A SPINNING OPERATION AND ENCOMPASSING BLASTS OF STEAM FROM WHICH UNIT THE FIBERS ARE EJECTED ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS IN THE FORM OF AN ANNULAR WOOL STREAM, AN APPLICATOR FOR TREATING THE FIBERS SO PRODUCED INCLUDING A CONDUIT PROJECTING THROUGH THE ANNULUS OF THE WOOL STREAM INTO THE INTERIOR THEREOF WITH ITS OUTLET DISPOSED AT APPROXIMATELY THE CENTER OF THE ANNULAR WOOL STREAM FOR SUPPLYING A TREATING SUBSTANCE TO THE ENCOMPASSING FIBERS OF THE STREAM, AND A CONDUIT ENCOMPASSING THE FIRST MENTIONED CONDUIT AND HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY ARRANGED DISCHARGE NOZZLE FOR SUPPLYING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO THE DISCHARGED TREATING SUBSTANCE AS IT LEAVES THE OUTLET FOR EFFECTIVELY ATOMIZING THIS TREATING SUBSTANCE, DIRECTING IT WITHIN AND GENERALLY ALONG THE PATH OF THE ENCOMPASSING WOOL STREAM FOR AND DISPERSING IT INTO THE ENCOMPASSING WOOL STREAM FOR TREATING THE FIBERS IN THE STREAM. 